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A few millimeters proved too long a distance for HS Prannoy’s dream shot at the national badminton title. Up 20-18, match point, against top seed Sourabh Verma in the semifinals, Prannoy outmanoevred his opponent in a long rally and went for a crosscourt drop shot that most thought had kissed the line. But it was marginally out, and the tough Madhya Pradesh lad, who revels in three-setters, somehow clung on to vanquish Prannoy in the semifinals of the National Badminton Championships at the K Raheja Stadium on Tuesday.
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Sourabh will take on fellow-Gopichand Academy trainee Sai Praneeth in the finals on Wednesday. With 16-year-old PV Sindhu crushing defending champion Aditi Mutatkar, and Pune’s Neha Pandit ousting former champion Sayali Gokhale in the women’s singles semifinals, two new champions will emerge. The men’s singles should be an especially thrilling contest, for it features a doughty customer in Sourabh against the skilful Sai Praneeth.
The first men’s semifinal encounter was a torrid affair, as it pitted the hard-hitting Prannoy – a former Youth Olympic finalist – against Sourabh, who has had a sensational year in 2011. Prannoy went for broke, frequently using his smashes to hit through Sourabh’s defence. Still, the top seed hung in, and the first game went the distance, 22-20 for Prannoy.
With the Kerala player maintaining a slim lead in the second game, it seemed like he had Sourabh’s measure. At 20-18 he attempted the drop shot that was out by millimeters and gave Sourabh a lifeline, and the MP lad continued to show the remarkable consistency under pressure that has been his forte. He pulled away from midway in the third game to leave Prannoy choked for words.
Sai Praneeth had little problems negotiating the fast Anand Pawar. Praneeth, who many reckon is the most skilful player in the country today, demonstrated speed, strokeplay and aggression in neutralizing Pawar.
Meanwhile, the legendary combination of Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas continued in their quest for the men’s doubles title by ruthlessly dismantling youngster Pranav Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar. If the duo wins on Wednesday, it will be Rupesh’s 10th straight title – a feat unprecedented in Indian badminton history.
